Francis Kere is the First African architect of Serpentine Pavilion

Diébédo Francis Kere, the first African architect chosen to design the annual Serpentine gallery pavilion, plans to take one of his characteristically stripped-back structures honed in the villages of Burkino Faso to West London.

“The tree was always the most important place in my village,” he says, describing the inspiration for his design. “It is where people come together under the shade of its branches to discuss, a place to decide matters, about love, about life. I want the pavilion to serve the same function: a simple open shelter to create a sense of freedom and community.” Diébédo Francis Kere said.